Electrical receptacle and plug



Nov. 25, 1941.

w. E. JoHNsToN 2,263,630

ELECTRICAL RECEPTAGLE AND PLUG Filed June 25, 1940 P41-TI Qttorneg,

Patented Nov. 25, 1941 ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE AND PLUG Walter E. Johnston, Youngstown, Ohio, assgnor of one-half to L. D. Russell, Youngstown, Ohio Application June 25, 1940, Serial No. 342,275

(Cl. 17g-331)) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical wall outlets or receptacles and their complementary connection plugs as commonly used in electrical installations.

'I'he principal object of the invention is the provision of a simple and eiicient form of a combination of receptacle and connection plug wherein movement of the connection plug opens or closes electrical switches Within the receptaole so as to energize or deenergize the exposed contact portions of the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a receptacle and complementary connection plug the structural portions of which are formed of insulating material and provided with metallic electrical connector portions through which the electrical circuit is established when the complementary plug is placed in connection position within the receptacle, the connection plug serving to actuate the switches within the receptacle when the plug is in connection position, and so formed that the electrical circuit is broken by partial removal of the connection plug from the receptacle prior to the opening of the switches within the receptacle so that arcing of the switch parts is avoided.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an electrical receptacle and complementary plug so formed that the various eX- posed portions are disconnected from the current supply until after the complementary plug is inserted therein thus providing a safety feature in that foreign articles inserted in the receptacle will not result in the blowing of the fuses in the supply lines and, further, children accidentally or deliberately inserting their fingers in the receptacle will be unharmed as there will be no energized exposed portions from which they may be burned or electrocuted.

Specically, the plug and receptacle shown and described herein provide a combined receptacle and switch whereby the action of inserting the connection plug into the receptacle closes the switch so as to establish electrical connection between the receptacle and the supply lines. The various parts of the receptacle and plug are so formed and aligned that upon removal of the complementary connection plug the electrical circuit is broken at its connection point on the plug prior to the disconnection of the switches within the receptacle. The complementary connection plug and the registering portions of the receptacle are preferably cruciform in shape so as to necessitate the insertion of the connection plug in desirable polarized position at all times.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a top plan View of a receptacle the righ hand portion of which shows the complete assembly while the left hand portion is in cross section as indicated on lines I--I of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional side elevation of the receptacle.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional end elevation of the receptacle taken on lines 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the complementary plug.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the complementary plug.

By referring to the drawing and Figure 1 in particular it will be seen that the receptacle as shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a pair of connection plug receiving portions and is formed of two half body sections I5. 'I'hese body sections I5 are assembled in registering relation as shown and are held in that position by means of a metallic band I I which passes around the back of the body portions and holds the same together by reason of inturned flanges at the sides thereof which register with and hold together two pairs of lugs I2 formed on the ends of the body portions I0. It is ,obvious that if desired a bolt may be passed through the center sections of the receptacle if necessary to hold the half sections in assembled position or that any other convenient means may be employed. Each of the pair of plug receiving receptacles formed by the body members I3 are of appropriate size and depth to receive and retain in operative position a plunger block I3 of cruciform shape which is provided with a pair of downturned arms I4 through which a pivot rod I5 is positioned. By referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that a pair of toggles I6 are pivoted on the pivot rod I5 and that the toggles are pivoted in off center relation to the toggle portions themselves as shown in Figure 3 so that a snap like elevating action is obtained when pressure is brought to bear against the lowermost ends of the toggles I Ii. These toggles I6, pivoted as they are to the plunger block I3, serve to support the plunger block in elevated relation to the bottom of the receptacle at such times as the complementary connection plug is not in position in the receptacle, and it is obvious that if desired springs may be placed beneath the plunger blocks I3 to help elevate the same.

By referring again to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing it will be seen that a pair of horizontally positioned metallic contact strips I I are thus placing'their end sections in operative re- 5 lation to the lowermost portions of the toggles I6.

Positioned in recesses in the side sections of the,

body portions `Ill vertical metallic contact strips I9, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, are positioned by means of supporting bolts or rivets 29 posi- 10 tioned through the sides of the body sections .IIL These vertically positioned metallic contact strips I9 have inwardly extending partially looped portions 2l formed at their upper ends, (see Figures V 2 and 3) which serve to contact matching curved 15 portions of the complementary connection plug and by referring to Figures 1 and 3 of the drawing it will be observed that the side wall sections of the body portion I9 immediately adjacent these vertically positioned contact strips I9 are 20 cut away slightly in relation thereto so that a spring like action of the vertical connector strips is possible both at their upper and lower ends.

By referring to Figure 3 it will kbe seen that when the plunger block I3 is pressed downwardly 25 by means of the complementary plug inserted in the receptacle the bottom portions of the toggles IB move outwardly against the ends of the horizontally positioned Contact strips Il and effectively move them into electrical contact with the 30 lower ends ofthevertically positioned contact strips IS and in as much as electrical supply lines have been connected to these horizontally positioned contact strips I'I by means of bolts ISA positioned in connector tabs formed thereon,

which connector tabs extend upwardly from the Contact strips Il and partially out of the enclosed lower portion of the receptacle which is possible by reason of the fact that, as best illustrated in actual disengagement.

that when the plug is withdrawn from the receptacle the electrical connection is broken with the plug prior to the disengagement of the horizontal and vertical contact strips I'I and I9 Vdue to the springing action thereof which permits the partial following movement of the same prior to the This action effectively avoids arcing of these parts upon disengagement and thus insures the long life and satisfactory operation of the article.

Y It will thus be seen that a practical and convenient electrical receptacle and complementary plug have been disclosed wherein a safety feature is incorporated in that exposed portions of the devices are deenergized prior to the complete insertion of the plug in the receptacle.

What I claim is: Y

Y 1. Anelectrical connection receptacle provided with one or more cruciform sockets each of which is adapted to receive a complementary connection plug cruciform in cross section, each of the said sockets provided with a pair of vertically positioned contact'strips the uppermost ends of which are adapted to engage matching connection sections on the said plug, a pair of horizontally positioned contact strips positioned in the inner end of each of the said sockets adapted to be moved into contact with the innermost ends of the said vertically positioned contact strips, a plunger block carrying a crossed pair of pivoted toggle arms positioned in the said socket in operative relation to the said contact strips so that the toggle arms move the contact strips into electrical connection at such times as the plunger block is moved inwardly of the socket by the insertion of the connection plug thereinto.

Figure 1 of the drawing, the upper portion of 40 the receptacle is narrower than the lower portion of the receptacle and thus leaves an opening, in which opening the connector tabs are positioned. By referring to the right hand portion of Figure l this construction may be seen. ,portion of Figure 1 is taken on a lower elevation and shows the enlarged lower portion of the receptacleand the contact strips I1. The electrical current-is thus connected to the vertically 2. An electrical connection receptacleprovided with one or more sockets each of which is adapted to receive a complementary connection plug, each of said sockets provided with a movable plunger block carrying a pair of crossed andpiv- The hand oted toggle arms adapted to actuate electrical switch means formed at the inner end of the said socket, the said switch means comprising a pair of vertically positioned contact strips positioned vonv opposite sides of each socket, their uppermost positioned contact strips I9 therethrough which 50 in turn conveys the same to the Contact portions form shaped plunger block I3, so that the plug lmust be inserted properly to make electrical connection. In Figures 4 and 5 the larger cruciform body portions are indicated by the numerals 25 and the smaller or guiding portions by the numerals 26 while the cap portion of the plug is indicated by the numeral 21. The metallic contactor strips of the complementary plug are indicated by the numerals 2B. It will be seen by again referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing 'that` the receptacle and complementary plug are so formed that the toggles I6 effectively move the horizontal contact strips Il into electrical .connection with the vertical contact strips I9 ends adapted to establish electrical connection with the said complementary plug vand their lowermost endspositioned adjacent to theoutermost ends ofv a pair ofY horizontally positioned `Contact strips, the said contact strips adapted to be movedinto electrical connection by the said crossed and pivoted toggle arms when-the said plunger block is movedl into the saidsocket. Y

3. The combination of a receptacle and connection plug, the receptaclel having a cruciform shaped socket and the plug being of appropriate shape to fit thereintc, the said cruciform shaped socket provided with a movable member carrying a pair of crossed and pivoted toggle arms adapted to actuate electrical switch means positioned within the saidcruciformshaped socket, the said switch means comprising a pair of contact strips positioned on opposite sides of the saidA cruciform shaped socket their uppermost ends` adapted to establish electrica'lconnection with the said complementary plug,A andtheir lowermost ends positioned adjacent free ends of a pair of secondary contact strips, the said contact strips adapted to be moved intoA electrical Vcontact by the said crossed andpivoted toggle arms when the said movable member is moved into the said cruciform shaped socketyY Y l ,l ,Y

, WALTER E. JOHNSTON. 

